[FIXED] How does a LAMP developer get started using a Redis/Node.js Solution?

Issue

I come from the cliche land of PHP and MySQL on Dreamhost. BUT! I am also a javascript jenie and I've been dying to get on the Node.js train. In my reading I've discovered inadvertently a NoSQL solution called Redis!

With my shared web host and limited server experience (I know how to install Linux on one of my old dell's and do some basic server admin) how can I get started using Redis and Node.js? and the next best question is -- what does one even use Redis for? What situation would Redis be better suited than MySQL? And does Node.js remove the necessity for Apache? If so why do developers recommend using NGINX server?

Lots of questions but there doesnt seem to be a solid source out there with this info all in one place!

Thanks again for your guidance and feedback!

Solution

NoSQL is just an inadequate buzz word.

I'll attempt to answer the latter part of the question.

Redis is a key-value store database system. Speed is its primary objective, so most of its use comes from event driven implementations (as it goes over in its reddit tutorial).

It excels at areas like logging, message transactions, and other reactive processes.

Node.js on the other hand is mainly for independent HTTP transactions. It is basically used to serve content (much like a web server, but Node.js really wouldn't be necessarily public facing) very fast which makes it useful for backend business logic applications.

For example, having a C program calculate stock values and having Node.js serve the content for another internal application to retrieve or using Node.js to serve a web page one is developing so one's coworkers can view it internally.

It really excels as a middleman between applications.

Answered By - Dustin Kingen